Chapter 16, Problem 1ILQ

Watch this video (http://openstaxcollege.org/l/neuroexam) that provides a demonstration of the neurological exam—a series of tests that can be performed rapidly when a patient is initially brought into an emergency department. The exam can be repeated on a regular basis to keep a record of how and if neurological function changes over time. In what order were the sections of the neurological exam tested in this video, and which section seemed to be left out?

Summary Introduction

To analyze:

The series of neurological tests performed and not performed in the video.

Introduction:

A neurological exam is conducted to assess which part of the central nervous system is affected by a particular neurological disease. There are five different types of such exams namely; mental status, cranial nerve exam, sensory, motor, and gait exam or the coordination exam.

Explanation of Solution

The doctor starts by asking the patient to move forward from toe to toe and then stand on the feet with eyes closed to check the coordination. The doctor starts with the gait exam. The gait test is followed by a memory game to test the mental status of the patient followed by a touching the finger to test the motor system and then a sharp and dug with a small piece, which is blunt from one and sharp from another. The reflex test is the last to be performed by hitting the joints with a hammer and observe the movement in the body parts involved. The cranial test was not performed on the patient. It is used to test the working of the cranial nerves and the associated parts.

Conclusion

The doctors perform the gait test to check the coordination of the body followed by the mental status test, motor test sensory test, and the reflex test. The cranial test was not performed in the video.